In an Order released today, the FCC extended the time for filing reply comments in its multiple ownership proceeding to January 16. Those comments were initially due later this week.
The extension came in response to a seemingly reasonable request filed by Media General, asking that the comment deadline be extended until after the
The FCC released its Public Notice setting out the agenda for its next meeting to be held on December 20. Included on the agenda is a Report and Order and Further Notice of Proposed Rulemaking on video franchising reform. According to press reports, the FCC’s consideration may include timelines requiring local franchise authorities to act quickly
While you may not be able to say the "F-word" on broadcast TV, you can on cable TV. And apparently they will – as the Court of Appeals has agreed to televise the oral arguments on the appeals of the FCC fines levied against Fox for broadcast of the Billboard Music Awards and NBC for its airing of
Today’s news in the broadcast business seems to be that Google, which has been announcing for months that it was going to start selling broadcast advertising time – may actually now be selling that advertising. Stories this week, like those in CNet or in the Washington Post, focused on the test marketing of radio ads
In a press release issued last week, Cambridge Consultants announced that it would be introducing at the Consumer Electronics Show a wireless Internet radio device that would cost less than $15 to manufacture, and would likely retail for around $50. While several articles have hailed this device as signaling the demise of both satellite and over-the-air
On Monday night’s episode of NBC’s Studio 60 on the Sunset Strip, that program’s viewers were treated to a subplot about an FCC investigation into indecency on the fictional television network featured in the program. And these viewers were treated to a portrayal of the FCC as an all powerful agency, able to not only issue fines, but also pull "transponder licenses" and stop Asian casino acquisitions by the network’s parent company simply because of the inadvertent use of the "F word" in a live newscast. Chairman Martin probably wishes that he has as much power as the fictional FCC had on the program.
Perhaps a communications lawyer shouldn’t get concerned about the dramatic license taken by a TV show. But the program provided such a distorted view of the FCC process that it could even encourage those interested in making trouble for broadcast licensees to file more complaints with the FCC, thinking that the FCC is so powerful. In fact, the FCC’s power, and its precedent, are nothing like those portrayed on the show.
Obviously, the FCC’s powers don’t extend to casino acquisitions outside the United States (or for that matter in the United States). Nor will the FCC pull a satellite transponder license for a broadcast indecency matter – the FCC has never pulled any license for indecency violations, and has thus far shown no inclination to do so (and even had the FCC had been so inclined, it would take years of litigation). Even the proposed fine level – $350,000 for each of the network’s affiliates – while recently authorized by Congress, has never been levied by the FCC.
Two articles published today talk about on-line media, and the growing importance of local content in advertising and audience growth. These articles emphasize the long-term importance for broadcasters to capture the local audience that they have controlled over-the-air for so long as that audience makes the transition to the world of Internet media. This growth of
Until late 2004, Section 312(g) of the Communications Act provided that the license of any station that had been off the air for more than one year would automatically be forfeited. In December 2004, Congress amended the law, allowing the FCC discretion to reinstate such licenses "to promote equity and fairness." In a decision issued today
The FCC on Friday announced the details of the next multiple ownership field hearing to be held in Nashville on December 11. As in the October hearing in Los Angeles, the hearing focuses both on the specifics of the local market, as well as an industry segment and how consolidation has affected that segment. In Los
On Thursday, the FCC released an order agreeing to allow a company to provide Direct Broadcast Satellite service to the United States using Dutch satellites. If this company were to actually implement this service, it would compete directly with DIRECTV and Echostar (Dish Network), and compete as well in the larger multichannel video space with numerous
